“People keep saying it has become a batsman’s game, but bowlers are becoming more skilful too.”

In January, South Africa batsman A.B. de Villiers smashed the record for the quickest century ever after needing just 31 balls to reach his 100 against the West Indies in Johannesburg.

India’s Rohit Sharma hit the highest ODI score ever last year with a stunning 267 from 173 balls against Sri Lanka in Kolkata.

“No one begrudges an AB de Villiers, who plays some superb shots,” he said.

“Him, Brendon McCullum, Kumar Sangakkara, they are exceptionally talented and no one minds if they hit some great shots which go for six.

“But where some batsmen are mis-hitting balls and it is just carrying over the rope and going for a six instead of being caught at the boundary, that is what some cricket people believe has become unfair.”